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Julia’s Top 10 Hottest Travel Destinations in 2010

Posted by Julia on Jan 14, 2010 in Activities, Thrills, Tours, Travel

The Philippines

All the big boys do it. Conde Nast, Lonely Planet, Frommers.  It’s an annual travel industry tradition (much like the Academy Awards minus the emaciated actresses) to select hot destinations for the new year.

When considering such a big endeavor, one must look at several factors: pop culture events on the calendar, value for your dollar, under-appreciated cities, up-and-comers and general awesomeness.

Between research, real-life experience and peering into my travel crystal ball, I offer up my personal picks for the Top 10 hottest travel destinations in 2010.

British Columbia, Canada:

Brace your bobsled, the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver, Canada from February 12-28.  With over 97 nations qualifying for such sports as alpine skiing, curling, figure skating, luge and ski jumping, the world’s eyeballs (and tourists in turn) will look to British Columbia. Beyond the Okanagan wine tours and great surfing, it’s a province famous for its ski resorts, rugged coast line, temperate rainforests and – as it is affectionately called by local pot heads – “BC bud.”  Grab a Canadian flag and get “Out and About.”

Quick Tip:  For a cheaper way to get to Vancouver, fly to Seattle, rent a car, then drive a few hours over the Canadian border.

Philippines:

If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, Philippines is an affordable option for an exotic retreat.  With over 7,000 islands in the archipelago, Philippines offers world-class diving, snorkeling, whitewater rafting and some of the world’s most pristine wilderness.  Check out Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a 5 mile river on the west coast of Palawan Island.  This Unesco World Heritage site, boasts the world’s longest underground navigable river with a pretty impressive cave system.  If you crave city life, Manila is an eclectic mix of indigenous cultures, Spanish and American influence, with cool architecture, cheap markets and tons of English-speakers.

KAYAK visitor guides are a great place to start planning— to get started, check out: http://www.kayak.com/Things-to-Do-Manila.29645.cg.html

Slovenia:

Europe and I don’t usually get along.  Expensive, predictable and over-run with tourists, central Europe is a part of the world my wandering spirit and wallet like to avoid.  But Slovenia is another story.  A hidden gem, this tiny country is affordable, stunning and off the tourist track.  Bordering Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Austria, the Republic of Slovenia gained independence from the former region of Yugoslavia in 1991.  A population of over 2 million, most of them Roman Catholic, Slovenia has its own language, is part of the EU and has a strong tourist infrastructure where English is widely spoken. Start in the vibrant capital city of Ljubljana before heading to the foothills of the Julian Alps for a long list of outdoor activities.

Quick Tip:  The capital city of Ljubljana has some really cool accommodations.  Hostel Celica, which Lonely Planet calls the “world’s hippest hostel” is part of a military barracks used by the Austro-Hungarian army.  A former prison, each “cell” was renovated into a room and re-decorated by a different artist.  Modern and sparkling clean, this budget accommodation has twenty renovated slammer cells for guests to stay in.

Nevada:

High on my list of travel priorities for 2010 is a trip to Burning Man in Black Rock Nevada August 30 – September 6.  Imagine some 50,000 citizens living in the desert, cars and bodies decked out in psychedelic art, staying in theme camps with a strict ‘no vending’ all partying policy. Sounds like trouble. Check it out: www.burningman.com

Nicaragua:

Dubbed the ‘new’ Costa Rica by backpackers, the Central American country of Nicaragua has a lot to offer the budget traveler.  From volcano boarding to architecture hopping, to surfing along the Caribbean coast for cheap, a trip here is an affordable option away from the throngs of tourists.

Quick Tip:  Searching for flights on Kayak.com, I found an American Airlines return flight from New York to Managua for only $378.  That’s a great deal!

Thailand:

Rich in culture, Buddhist temples and happening nightlife, Thailand continues to be a great value destination for 2010 and a good times party spot likely for years to come.  These days, Thailand draws a younger backpacker crowd, but you can’t beat the cheap accommodations (with ocean front beach huts charging as low as $10 USD a night), almost free street food, dollar beers and $8 Thai massages.  Check out Songkran, a weekend-long city-wide water fight from April 13-15.

Chile:

While Chile’s BFF Argentina got most of the glory from other travel publications this year, my top pick for 2010 is most certainly Chile.    This narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is very diverse.  In one day, you can go from skiing in the mountains, to sweating it out in the world’s driest desert, touring graffiti murals in quaint cultural towns along the Pacific, to hiking around Alpine fjords.  But most importantly, you can get delicious bottles red wine (my fave is the Carmenere, a full-bodied grape) for a $5 price tag.

Florida:

For 2010, it’s not exactly the most exotic location but for the millions of Harry Potter fans, Orlando, Florida will be a big draw for tourists, families and muggles alike.  It’s all a little hush-hush now but word on the street is that, this spring, Universal Orlando is opening the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” a Harry Potter theme park!  Part of the Islands of Adventure, this 20-acre Potter paradise will have a Hogwarts Castle and interactive scenes from the books and movies.  For more, visit http://www.universalorlandoresort.com/harrypotter

Abu Dhabi:

While Dubai just launched the World’s Tallest Tower (a “superscraper” that stands 2,716 feet, is double the Empire State Building and took more than $1 billion to build) it’s actually neighboring Abu Dhabi that’s hot for 2010.  The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a cosmopolitan metropolis with grand mosques, helicopter tours, night cruises and imposing skylines.   Check out their weekly camel races, the Abu Dhabi International Triathalon on March 13 or the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair from March 2-7.  For a unique cultural experience, and an amazing feast after sundown, visit the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan from August 11 to September 10.

South Africa:

This summer, the FIFA World Cup football championship will dominate the hearts and minds of all sports enthusiasts.  While some may huddle around the TV set to watch Bekham run around the field, others will be tempted to jet set to South Africa to watch this historic event in person.  It’s the first time the tournament has been hosted by an African nation.  Venture beyond the ball, to check out Table Mountain in Cape Town, a wine tour in Stellenbosch, Durban’s Golden Mile beach and the Big Five wildlife in Kruger National Park.

What are your top travel destinations for 2010?  Share your hot spots with a comment below!

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